270 replies to this topic

[bikebloke]

I'm wondering as well, how far one can be beneath the specs and have the game run. For instance, shutting down all other applications. Even taking the Mac offline. I noticed when transfering CD's to iPod, it ran much slower while I was online compared to when I was disconnected. Alas, I reckon we'll have to wait for folk to experiment.

You have to wonder what planet the Aspyr decision makers live on. You can't plug and unplug components like a PC. Plus the stability of the machine means it'll be a while before purchasing a new improved, upgraded unit. They nixed a mighty big segment of the potential market. I guess they'll have to sacked.

[tryingto2]

I too have a G4 and am having the same problems with the control panel only being there when I'm scrolling. What a pain!!!!
I'm beyond pissed. The G4 meets and exceeds all requirements expect it's 1ghz.
What can we do about this? At least I can play with the body shop, but I want to play the game!
Thank goodness my husband wants a G5 for home shortly or else I'd be crying right now.

[bikebloke]

Amazon has dropped the price to 44.99 usd. I don't know if that's normal so soon after a game's release, or they're trying to move stock. The customer reviews are heavily in favour of the angry and frustrated.

[rainbowbrite123]

i just bought sims 2 for mac not realizing i didn't have a fast enough processor. while it asks for a 1.2 ghz, i only have a 700 mhz. i went to the apple store and asked if it would run and it will, but it will be slow. how slow will it be? i fit all of the other requirements so will it run well enough 2 spend $50 on? if it's so slow it's not worth it i can still return it by fri. but i really want the game!!! and i hear a patch is coming out for the game. would that help? if anyone has tried on a 700 mhz processor or has some advice write back asap

[kastanton01]

I'm not sure if this will help anyone, but I have a 733 MHz G4, and the game runs absolutely beautifully. It’s extremely fast, and the graphics are perfect even with shadows and everything else turned on. Like I said, I’m not sure if that will help, but I hope it does for at least one person. :huh:

[luws]

tryingto2 said:

I too have a G4 and am having the same problems with the control panel only being there when I'm scrolling. What a pain!!!!
I'm beyond pissed. The G4 meets and exceeds all requirements expect it's 1ghz.
What can we do about this? At least I can play with the body shop, but I want to play the game!
Thank goodness my husband wants a G5 for home shortly or else I'd be crying right now.

If you're sure all your other requirements match, you might look deeper into why the game isn't running, because I've seen a fair amount of other posters whose processors a little below specs, yet the game runs. Are you positive your video card meets the minimum? That seems to be the biggest deterent.

[bikebloke]

Will Apple Store let you return a game once opened? There's one up the road. It would be worth a shot to see if the game will run. Unfortunately, it's always packed and finding sales folk to answer questions is difficult.

[luws]

bikebloke said:

Will Apple Store let you return a game once opened? There's one up the road. It would be worth a shot to see if the game will run. Unfortunately, it's always packed and finding sales folk to answer questions is difficult.

When I bought mine at the Apple store, they said once the game was opened they would only take it back if the CD was defective & then they would exchange it for the same product,. If it was a problem with game performance then no. They actually said, if that's the case, "take it up with Aspyr." As if Aspyr would do anything. :huh:

[coletteSS]

3D games have to have the new, upgraded cards to play. If TS2 was to be an improvement on TS1, then 3D was the way to go; the "Next Generation", so to speak. Aspyr didn't really have a choice.

If you want to know whether you can upgrade your video card and video memeory in your current computer, call Apple. (get the number from the Apple.com web site; it's an 800 number). They can answer all kinds of requirement issues; very helpful.

My first Macs would never have been able to play TS1; I had to upgrade as OS and software requirements went up. It's the same way with this. A few years from now, this won't be an issue, this will be the standard.

It's a shame so many of us are caught in the middle. Right now I can't afford a new Mac, plus I need a car. I'm trying to decide which to buy first - I'd rather have the computer! :rofl:

[elisabethdall]

I have a G4 Powerbook, and I asked about upgrading my graphics card (I have a Ge Force FX 5200 at the moment which is supposed to run fine, I'm still waiting on Amazon for my game - I ordered a few days ago), and apparently it's incredibly difficult to upgrade as the graphics card is literally soldered to the logic chip. So you'd have to replace both which would not be worth the hassle or money.

I'm in the process of saving up for a G5, and I'll be dropping about $1000 for a proper graphics card, when I do. It's definitely worth it if you're a Mac gamer.

[bikebloke]

For anyone interested - I've been looking at Apple's support discussions. In "Search" type in"sims 2". Some folk are asking about Sims 2. There are mostly queries about system limitations. But if you're waiting for the word whether your below-specs system might work, it's another source.

[lemonjenny]

dragonlove said:

Hi! I also have an iMac G4. I have just bought the sims2 and I can't get it to work at all, I can't even get it to launch. It seemed to download just fine onto my hard drive, but when I double click on the icon it does not do anything. I think I have the same specs as you (1GHz, 768RAM, OS X 10.2.8, and GeForce4 MX). I called my apple support and they said the only thing I could do with my computer was to upgrade the OS to Tiger. As far as the CPU speed and video card, they said I would have to get a whole new computer! WHAT!!! There is nothing wrong with my current computer. I still have tons of space left on it and everything else works great on it. Is there NO OTHER option for me?

I was thinking of just paying to upgrade to the Tiger OS but if that will not allow me to play the game then there is no point in my doing even that. I am a collage student and do not have the money to buy a new computer (especially since there is nothing wrong with mine - other then this game not working). Does anyone have any suggestions? Please, I could really use the help!!!

Dragonlove

Oh, my friend, I came to the same, sad result. No Sims2 for us G4 iMac users. We'd have to buy a new computer. And no, Tiger wouldn't do a thing.

What I'm going to do about it is buy an Xbox, and buy Sims2 for Xbox when it comes out in November. At least that's something!

[MacSim]

I have what I believe is the final pre-Ghz PowerMac G4; it's 933 MHz with 512 MB of RAM and a GeForce4 MX. Just to be on the safe side so I know TS2 will run, I ordered a Sonnet 1.33 GHz processor upgrade and an ATI Radeon 9200. I bought TS2 on Amazon.com (CompUSA didn't seem to have it) and it should be here by Thursday. Finally, I'll have The Sims 2 in my hands!

[parma_violet]

I just got the Sims 2 and already I am peeved. I am suffering from the same problems that other users have - I too have one kickass computer. Apple PowerPC G4 with 1GHz processor. But, I don't have the bloody video card.

When I open the Sims 2 up, my toolbars also disappear...I have to scroll to see them, and when I move the mouse, it just disappears again. I managed to get into a house, but the performance was AWFULLY slow and irritating. It took me a while to quit the game.

The thing that bothers me is...there is NO WAY I am buying a new machine, just to play this game. This G4 is one hell of a machine as it is..good with other games (Tomb Raider AOD, Original Sims, Medal of Honor) .and just getting to play the Sims 2 can be an expensive business. I think I have to take the game back. I am really angry. Its not fair!

Is it possible that it is a video card problem? If it is, is it possible to replace the video card without completely sabotaging the machine? If its going to cost me a fortune, then I'm stuffed. Not made of money.....

Sorry about the angry tone. I am peeved. :(

[luws]

Souds like a video card problem to me, & you say as much in your 1st sentence. Video cards can be replaced, though I have no idea what it would cost. It would most assuredly be way below the cost of a new computer.

I've also been reading a number of posts (can't remember where... sorry) that there is a problem with ATI graphics cards in general, but that there is a patch/update on the ATI web site that helps.

[bikebloke]

Alas, it seems the most reasonable route for me is to go with a console player, too. I'm researching those now. I wonder if console players will be able to use cheats and disable the censorship.

So I'll wait. Anyway, it's summer and I spend more time outside relishing the heat.

[Heather_6]

I just got the game today- Amazon took 16 days to deliver!!!!!! Not that it matters, because I am waiting for my new computer to arrive before I play anyway. But after reading the stuff in this thread, I'm worried again. If I just spent $1200 on a new computer and the game STILL doesn't work, I WILL cry. Seriously. Not that I bought the new computer JUST for this game, but I bought the computer now instead of later becuase of TS2.

Anyway, here are the specs for my new iBook. Somebody please assure me that it will work!

1.2GHz PowerPC G4
512K L2 cache @1.2GHz
12-inch TFT Displays
1024x768 resolution
256MB DDR266 SDRAM (plus I added 256MB more installed)
30GB Ultra ATA drive
Combo Drive
ATI Mobility Radeon 9200
32MB DDR video memory
AirPort Extreme built-in

[parma_violet]

Heather_6, you sound like one of the lucky ones. It sounds like it would work. Judging by your specs, you have one hell of a system there. I think yours will run fine.

[Heather_6]

Thanks. I'm not exactly a computer genius. It looked good to me, which is why I ordered it. After reading all the stuff in this thread about trouble with G4's, I was worrying. I would have loved a G5, but there is a pretty dramatic price difference there!

Now I just have to deal with the interminable WAITING for the computer to arrive. It's even worse now that the game is here. I've been tempted to try installing it on my old G3 just to see what happens. If I do, I'll let you guys know!

If my computer shows up and my game runs well, I will be blissed out all weekend! :)

[macgirlffx]

You can use Aspyr's Game Agent utility to see if the specs of your new iBook will run it. It does read the stats of the computer you are using but there is also a list of other computers that you can click in and select to see how those match up. I know when I was computer shopping I used it to see what out there would run the game. New iBooks were listed as being able to run it. Just compare their recommendations (look at the bottom flap of your game box) to the specs of the iBook you ordered. I think you'll be fine. Oh, you can download Game Agent from Aspyr's site or a copy of it comes on The Sims 2 DVD. You don't have to install the game to use the utility.